Apple has shut down the first fully-functional Mac OS X ransomware

TechCrunch ^ | Mar. 7, 2016 | Sarah Perez

[Utilizer]

Apple has shut down what appears to have been the first, fully-functional ransomware targeting Mac computers. This particular form of cyber threat involves malware that encrypts the data on your personal computer so you can no longer access it. Afterwards, the hackers request that you pay them in a hard-to-trace digital currency – in this case, bitcoin – in order for you to retrieve your files. This ransomware, called KeRanger,” was first reported by researchers at Palo Alto Networks. They also noted that Apple has now revoked the abused certificate that was used in the attack and updated its built-in anti-malware system XProtect with a new signature to protect customers.

Technically, KeRanger was not the first ransomware aimed at Mac users. The security firm said that another malware application known as FileCoder had been previously discovered. However, FileCoder was incomplete at the time it was found, which is why the firm believes that KeRanger is the first functional ransomware to appear on the OS X platform.

The fact that OS X has now been targeted speaks to the popularity of Apple’s operating system – ransomware is a fairly common form of cyber threat these days as victims are often likely to cave into attackers’ demands. This has even been the case in some high-profile attacks, as with the ransomware that shut down servers in an L.A. hospital last month. The hospital eventually paid a ransom equivalent to $17,000 in bitcoins to get its systems back up-and-running.

[jessduntno]

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[wastedyears]

I could just replace my HDD.

[House Atreides]

Fyi

[Fai Mao]

Wait until one of these criminal groups get a hold of the i-cloud or whatever the Microsoft or Google equivalent is

[Swordmaker]

Apple has revoked the Apple rectification that was being used by the crooks to install the Transmission App laden with a Trojan RansomWare onto Macs since last Friday that could encrypt Torrent download users' Hard drives and require them to pay hundreds of dollars in bitcoins for the unlock key. — PING!

Apple Ransomeware Update
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[SunkenCiv]

BTW, I love the cracked black skull logo. :’)

[TheBattman]

While, in theory, the developers could wedge this in to more “legit” software, “Transmission” is an app primarily used for file sharing... and the vast majority of which is pirated files and such. So this is kind of like getting a virus/malware from downloading porn... Kind of inviting it in, so to speak.

And yes, I realize there are “legitimate” uses for Transmission and it’s ilk, but most of those uses can be accomplished through less “questionable” means.